Requiem

September 21, 2025 | 3 PM

Fauré | Requiem

Mozart | Exultate, Jubilate

Mozart | Symphony No. 40 in G Minor

Lakeside Symphony & Chorus

Don Scott Carpenter, conductor

Cheryl Cain, soprano

Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem is one of the most beloved settings of the Requiem Mass. Unlike the dramatic versions by Verdi or Mozart, Fauré’s work is gentle and serene, emphasizing rest and peace over judgment. He called it a “lullaby of death.” The work omits the Dies Irae except for a brief section in the Libera Me, reinforcing its meditative tone. Highlights include the ethereal Pie Jesu for soprano solo and the transcendent In Paradisum, which closes with a vision of heavenly peace. The restrained orchestration features strings, harp, and organ.

Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate, K. 165, is a virtuosic motet for soprano and orchestra, composed in 1773 when he was 16. Written for castrato Venanzio Rauzzini, it expresses radiant joy and praise. Its three movements culminate in the famous Alleluia, a dazzling vocal showcase marked by elegant melodies and lively rhythms.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550, is one of his most recognizable symphonies. One of only two in a minor key, it reflects deep emotional intensity. The restless, melancholic opening theme is instantly recognizable. The symphony’s dramatic contrasts and lyrical beauty make it a cornerstone of Classical repertoire.